• Kell Brook v Vyacheslav Senchenko

Brook ends year of hurt with Senchenko knockout

Kell Brook put in an impressive showing against Vyacheslav Senchenko © Getty Images

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Kell Brook fulfilled his promise to deliver a knockout blow to Vyacheslav Senchenko as the Brit produced a stunning performance to win their IBF welterweight eliminator with a fourth round stoppage in Sheffield.

Spurred on by a year of frustration, which included three postponed bouts with champion Devon Alexander, Brook dominated the majority of proceedings in his hometown, only troubled by a single crushing right from the former world champion Senchenko.

Brook landed a couple of telling punches in an otherwise cagey opening two rounds, before flooring Senchenko in the third with a tremendous right-hook to the jaw.

Senchenko recovered and looked to be hanging on for dear life as Brook unloaded punch after punch on the 36-year-old, who struggled with his balance.

However, Senchenko caught the undefeated Brit with a hard right to the temple and this time it was the crowd favourite who looked troubled.

But, after regaining his composure, Brook finished off in devastating style with another right to his opponent's jaw - floored again, Senchenko rose back to his feet but referee Shada Murdaugh waved an end to the fight with the Ukrainian unable to keep his balance.

"Nothing's going to stop me [from becoming a world champion]," Brook told Sky Sports. "I showed tonight, I stopped a world class fighter. Nobody's going to stop me.

"I want the best out there, I think I've proved tonight that I belong at the top, so bring whoever you want to bring on - I'm ready. This team is ready."

"Obviously everybody wants the fight between Kell and Amir Khan, Adrien Broner's a fight we'd love to get over as well," said Brook's promoter Eddie Hearn.

"We want to become champion of the world, Kell deserves to be a world champion and he's going to get there. Nothing's going to hold him back."

Anthony Joshua looked every bit a future world champion in only his second fight since turning professional, knocking out Paul Butlin in the second round of their heavyweight fight following another destructive performance.

The Olympic super-heavyweight champion had Butlin wobbling with two thunderous rights in the opening round, before flooring the 37-year-old in the second with a brilliant left-right combo.

Butlin recovered, with a bloodied right eye to show for his bravery, before his camp threw in the towel just 50 seconds into the second round to put an end to his punishment.

"I'm still improving, I'm still cracking on but it's always good to get a win because now I can get ready for November 14," Joshua told Sky Sports. "That's the key right now, to relax."

Earlier on Saturday, Sheffield middleweight Adam Etches successfully retained his IBF youth title with a first round victory over the previously unbeaten Alexandre Mendes.

Etches landed two huge right hands to stun the Brazilian towards the end of the opening round, before Mendes' camp called an end to the fight when throwing in the towel with two seconds remaining - leaving their fighter in tearful anger.

In stark contrast, Brian Rose cried tears of joy when he was announced the victor in his light-middleweight bout with Javier Maciel. In an epic battle that went the distance, Rose produced a spirited performance of determination and power to claim a split decision win and a shot at the WBO world title.

Callum Smith extended his unbeaten record with a sixth round knockout of Ruben Acosta to claim the WBC international super-middleweight title.

Anthony Joshua knocked out Paul Butlin for his second win since turning professional © Getty Images

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